FRIDAY, MARCH 20
11:45 AM - 1:00 PM
PLYMOUTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Waveland Hall
4126 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines

in-person and virtual options

Safeguarding the rights of protesters

Sally Frank
Professor of Law, Drake University

You’re at a protest and things get heated. Perhaps law enforcement shows up and is intervening. You’re observing everything happening around you but you know you don’t really know what to look for to help those caught up in the action.

What’s the difference between legal observing and simply observing? Join Sally Frank, professor of law at Drake University, who has decades of experience as a legal observer to understand the difference.

There are three ways to attend Crossroads. Registration is required for all three:

• Attend in person (with lunch) by clicking here. Four bag lunch sandwich options are available for $15: turkey, roast beef, ham salad, and vegetarian. You must pre-order and pay for your lunch by 12:00 PM on Wednesday, March 18. Late orders or walk-in requests for lunch will not be available.
• Attend in person (no lunch) by clicking here. There is no cost for this option, but we must have your RSVP to ensure we have enough seating.
• Watch via YouTube by clicking here. This online presentation will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel.

Crossroads is a monthly gathering of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa in Des Moines.

FRIDAY, APRIL 3
11:45 AM - 1:00 PM
ST. PAUL'S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
1340 3rd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids

Reproductive rights in Iowa

Francine Thompson
Executive Director, Emma Goldman Clinic

What is the current legal status of abortion care in Iowa and how have last year's restrictions impacted clinics around the state? Francine Thompson, Executive Director of the Emma Goldman Clinic (EGC), will explain the services offered by the EGC, their philosophy of care, and history. She will also share the challenges and successes during her tenure of 38 years as an administrator at EGC.

There are three ways to attend Intersections. Registration is required for all three:

• Attend in person (with lunch) by clicking here. Three boxed lunch options are available for $15: turkey & swiss on ciabatta, roast beef & cheddar on wheatberry, and garden veggie salad. You must pre-order and pay for your lunch by 12:00 PM on Tuesday, March 31. Late orders or walk-in requests for lunch will not be available.
• Attend in person (no lunch) by clicking here. There is no cost for this option, but we must have your RSVP to ensure we have enough seating.
• Watch via YouTube by clicking here. This online presentation will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel.

Intersections is a monthly gathering of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa in Cedar Rapids.

SUNDAY, MARCH 29
2:30 PM
CAPITOL HILL LUTHERAN CHURCH
511 Des Moines St, Des Moines

3:00 PM
IOWA STATE CAPITOL

We are living through a period of authoritarianism in our country that is rapidly consolidating and strengthening. The dominating politics of hate, fear, greed, and division are violating our shared values and tearing our country and democracy apart. It is our time to act in a new way.

Interfaith Alliance of Iowa has joined a movement of organizations in 15 states (and growing) initiated by ISAIAH Minnesota to be a collective voice against what is happening. It is a movement designed to stand with our neighbors and against authoritarianism. In Iowa, we are calling it the Standing With Our Neighbors project.

We know Christians have outsized power and privilege in our country. As such, Christians also have additional responsibility to show up and speak out. As one part of the project and along with many clergy and lay people, we are helping to organize a Christian-focused protest and gathering on Sunday, March 29 – The Palm Sunday Public Witness.

The event is an action to amplify the Palm Sunday message around public witness and shaped by the call in Matthew 25 to care for our neighbors. The Palm Sunday Public Witness will include a march, a gathering with elements of worship, and a sending forth with a Call to Action.

You can learn more about the Standing With Our Neighbors project and the Palm Sunday Public Witness on our website.

SUNDAY, MARCH 29
2:30 PM
PENTACREST
21 N Clinton Street, Iowa City

2:45 PM
PED MALL STAGE

Meet at the Iowa City Pentacrest (21 N. Clinton Street) at 2:30 PM to march to the Ped Mall Stage area for music, prayer, and a Call to Action at 2:45 PM.

Please bring palms and signs in support of the message of Matthew 25 and avoid messages of hate or opposition. Clergy are invited to vest in the manner and color their tradition uses on Palm Sunday.

Rain site is Trinity Episcopal Church, 320 E. College Street, Iowa City.

Below are ideas for how you can get in good trouble!

HOW TO CONTACT YOUR U.S. SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES

Senator Joni Ernst
(202) 224-3254 (https://www.ernst.senate.gov/contact)

Senator Chuck Grassley
(202) 224-3744 (https://www.grassley.senate.gov/contact)

Representative Marianette Miller-Meeks (1st Congressional District)
(202) 225-6576 (https://millermeeks.house.gov/contact/offices)

Representative Ashley Hinson (2nd Congressional District)
(202) 225-2911 (https://hinson.house.gov/zip_authentication?form=/contact)

Representative Zach Nunn (3rd Congressional District)
(202) 225-5476 (https://nunn.house.gov/contact/offices/)

Representative Randy Feenstra (4th Congressional District)
(202) 225-3193 (https://feenstra.house.gov/contact/offices)